U.S. patent application number 13/453941 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-29 for battery cell having angled contact section.
This patent application is currently assigned to LI-TEC BATTERY GMBH. Invention is credited to Claudia Brasse, Andrea Gutsch, Claus-Rupert Hohenthanner, Joerg Kaiser, Tim Schaefer.
Application Number | 20120301776 13/453941 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47219419 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120301776 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hohenthanner; Claus-Rupert ;
et al. |
November 29, 2012 |
BATTERY CELL HAVING ANGLED CONTACT SECTION
Abstract
Battery cell 1, in particular flat battery cell, comprising at
least one packaging for receiving at least one electric cell, at
least one conductor 3, which has at least one base section 4 and at
least one contacting section 5, wherein said contacting section is
bent relative to the base section 4.
Inventors: |
Hohenthanner; Claus-Rupert;
(Hanau, DE) ; Kaiser; Joerg; (Kamenz, DE) ;
Gutsch; Andrea; (Luedinghausen, DE) ; Brasse;
Claudia; (Hanau, DE) ; Schaefer; Tim;
(Niedersachswerfen, DE) |
Assignee: |
LI-TEC BATTERY GMBH
Kamenz
DE
|
Family ID: |
47219419 |
Appl. No.: |
13/453941 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13255483 |
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PCT/EP2010/001544 |
Mar 11, 2010 |
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13453941 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
429/158 ; 29/879;
429/179 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49213 20150115;
Y02E 60/10 20130101; H01M 2/204 20130101; H01M 2/0207 20130101;
H01M 2/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
429/158 ;
429/179; 29/879 |
International
Class: |
H01M 6/42 20060101
H01M006/42; H01R 43/02 20060101 H01R043/02; H01M 2/30 20060101
H01M002/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 12, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 012 948.0 |
Claims
1-32. (canceled)
33. A battery assembly comprising a first battery cell (1), and a
second battery cell (1), each of the two battery cells comprising
at least a packaging (2) for receiving at least one electric cell,
at least a conductor (3), which has at least one base section (4)
and at least one contacting section (5), wherein said contacting
section (5) is bent relative to the base section (4). at least one
U-shaped conductor (3), with a base section (4), a contacting
section (5) and a connecting bridge, which is arranged between the
base section (4) and the contacting section (5) wherein the outer
arms of the U-shape are formed by the contacting section (5) and by
the base section (4), and the base of the U-shape is formed by the
connecting bridge, and the contacting section (5) of the first
battery cell (1) is electrically connected to the contacting
section (5) of the second battery cell (1).
34. The battery assembly according to claim 33, wherein the base
section (4), of the first battery cell (1) and/or the base section
(4), of the second battery cell (1) has a first aligning means, in
particular at least one, in particular two aligning-holes (7).
35. The battery assembly according to claim 34 comprising a spacer
(13), which is arranged between the base section (4) and the
contacting section (5) of the first battery cell (1).
36. The battery assembly according to claim 35, wherein the width
(B) of the spacer (13) corresponds to a length (L) of a section of
the bridge of the first battery cell (1).
37. The battery assembly according to claim 36, wherein the spacer
(13) has two aligning means, in particular at least one aligning
protrusion (11).
38. The battery assembly according to claim 37, wherein the first
aligning means (7) are engaged with the second aligning means
(11).
39. A battery cell (1), comprising at least one packaging (2) for
receiving at least one electric cell, at least one conductor (3),
which has at least one base section (4) and at least one contacting
section (5), wherein said contacting section (5) has a sawtooth
structure and is bent relative to the base section (4).
40. A battery assembly with a first battery cell according to claim
7, and a second battery cell according to claim 7, wherein the
contacting section (5) of the first battery cell (1) is
electrically connected to the contacting section (5) of the second
battery cell (1).
41. The battery assembly according to claim 40, wherein the first
battery cell (1) is adjacently arranged to the second battery
cell.
42. The battery assembly according to claim 41, wherein the
contacting section (5) of the first battery cell (1) is directly,
electrically-connected with the contacting section (5) of the
second battery cell (1).
43. The battery assembly according to claim 42, wherein the
contacting section (5) of the first battery cell (1) is directly,
electrically-connected by ultrasonic welding to the contacting
section (5) of the second battery cell (1).
44. A method for the manufacture of a battery assembly according to
claim 33, comprising the following steps: contacting a side surface
area (18) of a battery cell (1) with a side surface area (18) of an
adjacent battery cell (1), and connecting a contacting section (5)
of a battery cell (1) with a contacting section (5) of an adjacent
battery cell (1), wherein the battery cell (1) and the adjacent
battery cell (1) have a U-shaped conductor (3) with a base section
(4), a respective contacting section (5) and a connecting bridge,
which is arranged between the base section (4) and the contacting
section (5), and wherein the outer arms of the U-shape are formed
by the contacting section (5) and the base section (4), and the
base of the U-shape is formed by the connecting bridge.
45. A method for the manufacture of a battery assembly according to
claim 33, comprising the following steps: contacting a side surface
area (18) of a battery cell (1) with a side surface area (18) of an
adjacent battery cell (1), and connecting a contacting section (5)
of a battery cell (1) with a contacting section (5) of an adjacent
battery cell (1), wherein the battery cell (1) and the adjacent
battery cell (1) have a conductor (3) with a base section (4) and a
respective contacting section (5), and wherein said contacting
section (5) has a sawtooth structure and is bent relative to the
respective base section (4).
46. The method according to claim 45, wherein connecting the
contacting sections (5) is implemented by material engagement, in
particular by ultrasonic welding.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell, which, in
particular, is designed as a flat battery cell. Such battery cells
comprise a packaging in which at least one electrical cell was
inserted. An electrical cell can be a primary battery cell, i.e. a
non-rechargeable battery cell. The battery cell may also be a
secondary battery cell, i.e. a rechargeable battery cell. A
conductor (electrical conductor) is electrically conductive
connected to electrodes of the electric cell. Such battery cells
are used, particularly, in electrically powered vehicles.
[0002] The state of the art is described based on FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 1 shows two battery cells 1, each having a conductor 3, which
forms a connection of the battery cell 1 to the outside. A second
conductor is not illustrated. The conductor 3 has a base section 4,
which protrudes through the packaging 2 of the battery cell 1.
Conductor 3 further has a contacting section 5, which can be
brought in contact with a contacting section 5 of a second battery
cell 1. The contacting sections 5 of two battery cells 1 can be
welded together by means of a welding gun 25, whose two arms are
illustrated. The lower arm of the welding gun 25 extends into a
tubular space, which is formed by conductors 3 and packaging 2 of
the two battery cells 1.
[0003] FIG. 2 shows another example of the state of the art. A
battery cell 1 has a conductor 3, which extends evenly. An
additional electrically conductive contacting element 26 is
arranged in the space between the two contacting sections 5 for the
electrical connection of the contacting sections 5 of two adjacent
battery cells 1.
[0004] The objective of the present invention is to provide an
improved battery cell.
[0005] The underlying objective of the invention is solved by a
battery cell, in particular, by a flat battery cell, comprising at
least one packaging for receiving at least one electric cell, at
least one conductor, which has at least one base section and at
least one contacting section, wherein the contacting section is
bent relative to the base section.
[0006] The contacting section is preferably used to bring the
conductor in electrical connection with an external component, in
particular with a connecting element or with a connecting sleeve.
In addition, a contacting section can also be brought in indirect
or direct contact with a contacting section of an adjacent battery
cell to establish an electrical connection between two battery
cells. Therein, the base section of the conductor represents the
area of the conductor by means of which the conductor protrudes
through the packaging. By means of a bending between the base
section and the contacting section, the contacting section can be
brought into a favorable geometrical position for improved
connectivity.
[0007] Preferably, the contacting section is bent relative to the
base section in expect to a bending axis, wherein the bending axis
is arranged parallel to a direction of the module of the battery
cell. The direction of the module of a prismatic battery cell can
be defined via the alignment directions of the longest outer edge
of the battery cell. The direction of the module of a prismatic
cell can also be defined by an axis that is vertical to one side
surface area, wherein, as a reference surface area, preferably, the
side surface area is used, through which the base section protrudes
through the packaging. The direction of the module for a round
battery cell may be defined by the longitudinal axis, relative to
which the cylindrical outer surface area of the round battery cell
extends in parallel. The direction of the module can also be
defined by a vertical line through the section of the surface area
of the packaging of the battery cell, which is protruded by the
base section.
[0008] Since the contacting section is bent relative to the base
section in respect to a bending axis, which extends in the
direction of the module of the battery cell, a contacting surface
area, which is arranged on the contacting section, is aligned in
parallel to the direction of the module. A tool, which may be used
to connect two contacting sections, may then be moved to the
contacting section, in particular by a movement in the direction of
the module, and thereby, has to travel only a short distance. A
tool arm, which may carry the tool, may be designed having a short
arm. Such a tool may be a welding gun. A tool arm may be the arm of
a welding gun.
[0009] By means of such bending, the contacting section, which
comprises the contacting surface area, may extend in the direction
of an adjacent battery cell, which is arranged at a largest side
surface area of the battery cell. In particular, when contacting
sections of adjacent battery cells are directed towards each other,
a contacting of the contacting section is simplified and may
result, in particular, in material and weight reduction.
[0010] Preferably, the contacting section is bent relative to the
base section in an approximately perpendiculary manner. The term
"perpendicular" or "rectangular" is generally to be interpreted in
a broad sense and comprises also, in particular, deviations from
exactly 90.degree. all the way to 15.degree.. Preferably, the sum
of the degree of bending for two adjoining contacting sections of
adjacently arranged battery cells equals 180.degree.. Thereby, it
may be achieved that the contacting sections are aligned parallel
to each other.
[0011] Preferably, a conductor has at least two contacting
sections. The contacting sections may be designed to be
identical.
[0012] Preferably, a conductor has, essentially, an L-shape,
wherein, in particular, one arm is formed by the base section and
one arm is formed by the contacting section. The arms are, in
particular, formed in an elongated shape and are, preferably,
arranged in a perpendicular manner to each other. The arms are,
preferably, formed flat-shaped.
[0013] In another embodiment, the conductor may be designed in a
U-shape, which is, preferably formed by the base section and
contacting sections, which are arranged laterally thereon, on each
side. The contacting sections are arranged, preferably, on opposite
areas of the base section. Both contacting sections are bent
relative to the base section, preferably, each in respect to a
bending axis, wherein both bending axes are, preferably, arranged
in parallel to each other.
[0014] Preferably, the contacting section extends away from the
base section in a direction, which runs perpendicular to a largest
surface side area of the battery cell. For prismatic battery cells
or round cells, the largest surface side area may be the one, which
has, the largest surface area in terms of modules.
[0015] In round cells, the direction of the module may be
perpendicular to a base circle, which spans, preferably, a
cylindrical boundary surface area of the battery cell. The
direction of the module thereby extends, in parallel, in particular
coaxial to the cylindrical surface area.
[0016] Preferably, a contacting section is arranged in parallel to
the base section. This can be implemented, in particular, by
multiple bendings in respect to, in particular, two bending axes of
the conductor. The bending axes may be arranged in parallel to each
other. The bending axes may be aligned perpendicular to the
direction of the module. Preferably, the contacting section is
arranged at a distance in respect to the base section. Between the
base section and the contacting section, a connecting bridge may be
provided. The base section and the contacting section may extend in
the same direction, in respect to the connecting bridge. The
bending between the connecting bridge and the base section may be
implemented to be of the same direction as the bending between
contacting section and connecting bridge. The conductor may,
preferably, have a U-shape, wherein the outer arms of the U-shape
may be formed by the base section and the contacting section. The
base of the U-shape may be formed by the connecting bridge. The
connecting bridge may be arranged perpendicular in respect to the
base section and/or to the contacting section. Preferably, a
contacting section is spaced away from the base section by at least
a length, which at least corresponds to a distance of the base
section to a side surface area of the battery cell, which runs in
parallel to the base section. Thereby, the contacting section is
shifted from the base section by at least such a distance, that the
contacting section aligns with a side surface area of the battery
cell, or, in particular extends beyond the side surface area.
Thereby, the contacting section can easily be brought into contact,
in particular, with contacting sections, of battery cells that are
similarly designed and adjacently arranged, all this without the
need of additional components, in particular, of space bridging
connecting bridges. This allows, in total, to reduce the number of
components and thus, the weight, as well as the total assembly
effort.
[0017] A contacting section may, preferably, have a sawtooth
structure. A sawtooth structure may provide the advantage, that
several different connecting points are present, which are, in
particular produced by welding joints. Furthermore, in particular,
tension stresses on the battery cells, which may be noticeable, in
particular, as shear stresses on the contacting section, are
thereby at least partially directed into normal force components.
Thereby, the durability of the connection of the contacting section
will be increased. Moreover, the modules of a contacting area of a
contacting section may be enlarged by using a sawtooth structure.
In this respect, an enlarged contacting surface area can be
provided for connecting adjacent battery cells.
[0018] Preferably, the base section has at least one through-hole.
Means of traction may be guided through the through-holes, which
allow a tensioning/fixing of the base sections and/or the battery
cell with other components. Preferably, the base section has a
first aligning means, in particular at least one, further
particular two aligning-holes. The aligning means may serve to
align other components, in particular insulating elements, relative
to the conductor and/or the battery cell. The aligning means may
also be used for an alignment of an assembly tool.
[0019] Preferably, at least one spacing element is arranged between
the base section and the contacting section. The spacing element
serves for maintaining a predetermined distance and/or for a
predetermined alignment, in particular an angular alignment,
between a base section and a contacting section.
[0020] A spacing element may therein transfer a force, which acts
either on the base section or on the contacting section, to the
respectively other of the two elements. The spacer may be made of
an electrically insulating material. The spacer may be made of an
electrically conductive material.
[0021] Preferably, a width of a spacing element corresponds to a
length of a section of the bridge of the conductor. A section of
the bridge of the conductor may be a connecting bridge between the
base section and the contacting section. The spacing element may be
arranged between the contacting section and the base section.
[0022] The underlying objective of the invention is further
achieved by a battery assembly, comprising at least two of the
aforementioned battery cells, wherein contacting sections of
adjacent battery cells are electrically connected with each other,
in particular directly connected with each other.
[0023] Side surface areas of adjacent battery cells may be directly
adjacent to each other. A heat conductive plate may be arranged
between the side surface areas of adjacent battery cells.
[0024] Preferably, contacting sections of adjacent battery cells
are directly electrically connected with each other, in particular
by means of welding, further particulary by ultrasonic welding.
Ultrasonic welding allows simply and reliably to connect two
contacting section.
[0025] Preferably, U-shaped conductors of adjacent battery cells
together form a closed surface area, in particular a circularly
closed circumferential surface area. Thereby, in particular, two
contacting sections, respectively of a battery cell are always
connected with a contacting section of an adjacent battery cell,
hence in total with two contacting sections. By means of the closed
surface area, in particular, a high area moment of inertia of the
two conductors, which are connected with each other, is
established. Said conductors therefore display high rigidity
vis-a-vis externally applied forces.
[0026] Preferably, an insulating body is arranged between the base
sections of adjacent battery cells, in particular between the base
sections of conductors, and, in particular within a closed surface
area. The insulation body may serve as a spacing element between
the base sections of two adjacently arranged battery cells.
Therein, the spacing element is, preferably, arranged such that it
may absorb pressure forces, which are caused by attaching
conductors to each other, so that the conductor sections are held
in their respective position in the battery cell. This is, in
particular, advantageous, when the conductors are pressed together
by means of traction. By fixing the conductor in its position
relative to the battery cell, mechanical stresses on the conductor
are avoided, in particular, on the connection to the battery cell
or in the area, in which the conductor protrudes through the
packaging of the battery cell. The insulating body can further be
used for insulating the conductors of adjacent battery cells. This
is advantageous, in particular, when the insulating body is
arranged between two conductors, which are meant to not interfere
with each other, by means of an electrically conductive connection.
In case the insulation body is arranged between two electrically
connectable conductors, the insulation material may also be made of
electrically conductive material. In this case, the insulation body
serves, in particular, as a mechanical spacing element, without
acting as an electrical insulator.
[0027] In one battery assembly, similar insulating bodies may be
used both as mechanical spacing elements, as well as electrical
insulating elements. This leads to a reduction in the number of
parts.
[0028] Preferably, the insulating body has a second through-hole.
Preferably, a means of traction, which may press together the
conductors and the insulation bodies, may be guided through the
second through-hole. The second through-holes of the insulating
bodies may have the same diameter as the first through-holes of the
conductors.
[0029] Preferably, an insulating body has second aligning means, in
particular in form of at least one aligning protrusion, in
particular two aligning protrusions. Thereby, a first aligning
means of battery cells, in particular of conductors of battery
cells, may be brought in engagement with a second aligning means of
the insulating bodies. In particular, one or several, in particular
two, aligning protrusions of one or several insulation bodies may
engage in one or several, in particular in two, aligning-holes of
the battery cells, in particular, of the conductor.
[0030] Preferably, an anchor rod is guided through through-holes.
The through-holes may be arranged in the insulating body and/or in
the battery cell, in particular, in the conductors of the battery
cell. This allows the pressing together of the aforementioned
components.
[0031] The objective of the invention is further achieved by a
method of producing an aforementioned battery assembly, comprising
the following steps: contacting a side surface area of a battery
cell with a side surface area of an adjacent battery cell,
connecting a contacting section of a battery cell with a contacting
section of an adjacent battery cell, in particular by material
engagement. Preferably, the connection of the contacting section is
established by joining by material engagement, in particular by
welding, in particular by ultrasonic welding. The side surface
areas of the battery cells do not necessarily have to touch each
other. A heat conductive plate can be arranged between the side
surface areas.
[0032] Preferably, at least one insulating body is arranged between
the conductors of adjacent battery cells, in particular an
insulating strip.
[0033] The insulating bodies and the base sections may be aligned
along a joint aligning axis. The joint aligning axis may thereby,
be defined by coaxially arranged through-holes on both the base
section as well as on the insulating bodies. Means of traction, in
particular an anchor rod, may be guided through the aligning-holes,
with which the insulating bodies and the conductors may be pressed
together.
[0034] Preferably, the insulating bodies are aligned relative to
the conductors, in particular first aligning means of the conductor
are brought in engagement with second aligning means of the
insulating body. Thereby, preferably, aligning protrusions of the
insulating body may be inserted into aligning-holes of the
conductor.
[0035] Preferably, the battery cells are pressed against each other
by means of traction, in particular by an anchor rod. Thereby,
preferably, an anchor rod may be guided through a first
through-hole of the conductor, in particular in a through-hole of a
base section of the conductor, and a second through-hole of the
insulating body.
[0036] Preferably, a tool component, in particular at least one arm
of a welding gun, may be moved along a direction of a module
towards the contacting section.
[0037] The invention is further illustrated by the following
figures. These show:
[0038] FIG. 1 shows the contacting of two battery cells according
to prior art [0039] a) in side view [0040] b) in a plan view;
[0041] FIG. 2 shows, in a side view, the alternative contacting of
two battery cells according to prior art;
[0042] FIG. 3 shows in a perspective view, a battery assembly
according to the invention with a plurality of battery cells
according to the invention,
[0043] FIG. 4 shows two adjacent battery cells according to the
invention in a battery assembly according to the invention;
[0044] FIG. 5 shows contacting sections with a sawtooth
structure;
[0045] FIG. 6 shows an insulating body of the battery assembly;
[0046] FIG. 7 shows the sealing area of a battery cell.
[0047] FIG. 3 shows five battery cells 1, which together are part
of a battery assembly 27. The battery cells 1 are designed as flat
battery cells and have several side surface areas 18. The side
surface area 18' has the largest modulus surface area of all side
surface areas 18. Battery cells 1 are directly in contact with each
other along their largest side surface areas 18'. Alternatively, a
heat conductive plate, which is not illustrated, may be arranged in
between the side surface area 18'. All side surface areas 18 of a
battery cell 1 form the packaging 2 of the battery cell 1.
[0048] Each battery cell 1 has two conductors 3, which protrude
through the packaging 2 of the battery cell 1. The area of the
conductor 3, along which the conductor 3 protrudes through the
packaging 2 is the base section 4 of conductor 3. Base section 4
thereby protrudes, the packaging along a sealed area of the
packaging. Thereby, an annular space, which is formed between the
base section 4 and the packaging 2 is sealed by sealing means,
which are not illustrated.
[0049] The battery cell 1 has several boundary edges 28. A longest
boundary edge 28' is designed to be straight and defines a
direction of a module M. The base section 4 of the conductor 3 is
essentially aligned in parallel to the direction of the module M.
Each of the conductors 3 has two contacting sections 5, which are
arranged on the base section 4 of the conductor 3. The contacting
sections 5 are arranged on opposite areas of the base section 4.
Contacting sections 5 are bent to be perpendicular, relative to the
base section 4, namely in respect to a bending axis K, which is
aligned in parallel to the direction of the module M. Contacting
sections 5 extend in the direction of adjacent battery cells, and,
in particular towards the contacting sections 5 of adjacent battery
cells 1. Contacting section 5 is aligned in parallel to a vertical
axis S and to a largest side surface area 18'. Contacting areas on
the contacting sections 5 of adjacent battery cells 1 thus are in
direct contact with each other, when the battery cells 1 are
accommodated in a final alignment with each other. When assembled,
the contacting sections of adjacent battery cells are therefore in
contact with each other. Other connecting spacer elements for
connecting the contacting sections 5 are not necessarily
required.
[0050] As can be seen, in particular from the enlarged sectional
view of FIG. 3, contacting sections 5 of adjacent battery cells are
adjacent to each other and thereby, establish the electrical
connection between two adjacent battery cells 1. Contacting
sections 5 and base sections 4 of two interconnected conductors 3
of adjacent battery cells 1 thereby form, a circularly closed
circumferential surface area 8, in which an insulating body 9 is
arranged. The insulating body 9 may take up, in particular,
pressure forces between the two base sections 4. An insulating body
9 is also arranged between base sections 4 of conductors 3 of
adjacent cells, which are not interconnected with each other. In
addition to taking up mechanical forces, this insulating body, may
also form an electrical insulation between the respective
conductors. Insulating bodies 9 have second through-holes 10. When
assembled, the first through-holes 6 and the second through-holes
10 align in respect to a mutual axis, wherein an anchor rod 12 is
guided through both through-holes 6, 10. The anchor rod 12 may
press the assembly of battery cells 1 and insulating body 9
together by means of tensioning. The insulating bodies 9 form a
support, which may absorb pressure forces, so that the conductors 3
are not mechanically stressed with respect to the battery cell
body. The insulating bodies 9 thereby, as act as spacing
elements.
[0051] FIG. 4 shows battery cells 1 of a battery assembly in an
alternative example. Battery cells 1 each have a conductor 3, which
has a base section 4, a connecting bridge 17, as well as a
contacting section 5. The connecting bridge 17 is bent relative to
the base section 4 by a bending axis K.sub.1 of 90.degree.. The
contacting section 5 is bent relative to the connecting bridge 17
by a bending axis K.sub.1, wherein the bending axis K.sub.1' is in
parallel to the bending axis K.sub.1. The bending axes K.sub.1,
K.sub.1' are perpendicular to the direction of the module M. In
this respect, the conductor 3 is subject to multiple bending.
Contacting section 5 is arranged in a distance to the base section
4, wherein the distance L.sub.1 to the base section is larger than
a distance L.sub.2, which corresponds to the distance from the base
section to a side surface area 18', which runs parallel to the base
section. The contacting section extends beyond the side surface
area 18' of the battery cell 1 and may therefore, directly come in
contact with the contacting section of the adjacent battery cell 1.
A spacing element 13 is arranged between the contacting section and
the base section. Said spacing element may absorb pressure forces
and thus, may prevent an interference of the contacting section on
the base section and vice versa. A base section is enclosed by
spacing elements 13 from two sides. Base section 4 is designed
flat-shaped and protrudes in a flat-shaped manner from the inside
of the packaging of the battery cell 1, all the way behind the
spacing elements 13. Stresses in the critical sealing area 16, i.e.
in the area in which the base section 4 protrudes the packaging,
are avoided by means of the base section 4 being designed
flat-shaped all the way beyond the spacing elements 13. Only in an
area behind the spacing elements 13, the first bending of the
conductor is implemented. Outside the packaging 2, the base section
4 has expands in the direction of the module, said expansion
corresponds at least to an expansion of the corresponding spacing
element in the direction of the module. The connecting bridge 17
thereby bridges a distance up to the contacting section of the
adjacent battery cell 1.
[0052] FIG. 5 shows conductors 3 of adjacent battery cells 1, which
are not further illustrated, wherein the contacting sections 5 are
brought into contact with each other. Contacting sections 5 have a
sawtooth structure. By means of the sawtooth structure, the
effective contacting surface area between two contacting sections
is increased, while maintaining the same distance. Pulling forces
F.sub.1, which pull the contacting section 5 away from each other,
have, in the case of contacting surface areas with sawtooth
structure, the effect, that they have normal force components F2
directed perpendicular to the contacting surface area 5. Hence,
shear stress that may arise in case of flat-shaped contacting
sections, may be converted to normal force components. Thereby, the
connection of the contacting sections becomes more robust.
[0053] FIG. 6 shows the insulating body 9 according to the assembly
of FIG. 3 in detail. The insulating body 9 is designed as an
insulating strip and has a rectangular shape. A second through-hole
10 is provided, which extends perpendicular to a boundary edge of
the insulating body 9. Furthermore, insulating body 9 has two
aligning protrusions 11, which are arranged on opposite sides of
the second through-hole 10. Furthermore, insulating body 9 has two
additional aligning protrusions 11, which are arranged on the
non-visible back side of the insulating body 9.
[0054] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of a battery cell as used in
FIG. 3. Here, a section of the, by area, largest surface area can
be seen, as well as, with dashed lines, conductor 4, which extends
with its base section 4 through the packaging of the battery cell
1. A second side surface area is formed by two inclined side
surfaces areas 18''. Between the side surface areas 18'', a
circumferential mounting flange 15 extends, through which the base
section 4 of the conductor 3 protrudes through, as illustrated in
the sectional view. Sealants 16 are provided in area with
ring-shape, which is formed by the mounting flange 15 and the base
section 4. Said sealants seal the opening through which the base
section 4 protrudes through the packaging. The direction of the
module M, as illustrated, can, in addition to the above-mentioned
possibilities, also result from a bisecting line of the two side
surface areas 18'', which together form the side surface areas from
which the base section 4 extends.
LIST OF REFERENCES
[0055] 1 battery cell [0056] 2 packaging [0057] 3 conductor [0058]
4 base section [0059] 5 contacting section [0060] 6 first
through-hole [0061] 7 aligning-hole [0062] 8 circularly closed
circumferential surface area [0063] 9 insulating body [0064] 10
second through-hole [0065] 11 aligning protrusion [0066] 12 anchor
rod [0067] 13 spacing element [0068] 15 mounting flange [0069] 16
sealant [0070] 17 connecting bridge [0071] 18 side surface area
[0072] 19 welding gun [0073] 26 contacting element [0074] 27
battery assembly [0075] 28 boundary edge [0076] K bending axis
[0077] M direction of the module [0078] L distance (length) [0079]
B width [0080] S vertical
* * * * *